Repositionable Junction Box

ABSTRACT

A repositionable junction box is disclosed. The repositionable junction box can include a base comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity. The repositionable junction box can also include a coupling portion extending from the at least one wall, where the coupling portion can include at least one first coupling feature disposed at a distal end of the coupling portion, where the at least one first coupling feature is configured to mechanically couple to a first complementary coupling feature of a plurality of first complementary coupling features disposed on a frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/242,381,titled “Repositionable Junction Box”, filed on Apr. 1, 2014, whichitself claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/809,167, titled “Next Generation Luminaire” andfiled on Apr. 5, 2013. The entire contents of both of theabove-referenced applications are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to junction boxes, andmore particularly to systems, methods, and devices for repositionablejunction boxes for luminaires.

BACKGROUND

Recessed light fixtures are used in many residential, commercial, andindustrial applications. Generally, the space in which to install arecessed light fixture is limited, and so more the time can be requiredto install a recessed light fixture when parts of the light fixture(e.g., the luminaire, the luminaire housing) are cumbersome to install.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a repositionablejunction box. The repositionable junction box can include a base havingat least one wall that forms a cavity. The repositionable junction boxcan also include a coupling portion extending from the at least onewall, where the coupling portion includes at least one first couplingfeature disposed at a distal end of the coupling portion, where the atleast one first coupling feature is configured to mechanically couple toa first complementary coupling feature of a number of firstcomplementary coupling features disposed on a frame.

In another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to a luminaire.The luminaire can include a repositionable junction box and a frame. Therepositionable junction box of the luminaire can include a base havingat least one wall that forms a cavity. The repositionable junction boxof the luminaire can also include a coupling portion extending from theat least one wall, where the coupling portion includes at least onefirst coupling feature disposed at a distal end of the coupling portion.The frame of the luminaire can include a number of first complementarycoupling features, where each of the first complementary couplingfeatures is disposed at a different position on the frame. Therepositionable junction box can be disposed in a first position on theframe when the at least one first coupling feature of the repositionablejunction box is mechanically coupled to a first complementary couplingfeature of the first complementary coupling features.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will beapparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of repositionablejunction boxes and are therefore not to be considered limiting of itsscope, as repositionable junction boxes may admit to other equallyeffective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawingsare not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally,certain dimensions or positionings may be exaggerated to help visuallyconvey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designatelike or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an example luminaire in accordance withcertain example embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C show various views of a portion of a luminaire that includesan example repositionable junction box in accordance with certainexample embodiments.

FIGS. 2D and 2E show various views of a portion of a luminaire thatincludes an example repositionable junction box in accordance withcertain example embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3D show various views of various positions of the examplerepositionable junction box of FIG. 2 in accordance with certain exampleembodiments.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the example repositionable junction boxof FIG. 2 in accordance with certain example embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show various views of a portion of the luminaire thatincludes the example junction box of FIG. 4 in accordance with certainexample embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show various views of a portion of a luminaire thatincludes the example junction box of FIG. 2 in accordance with certainexample embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of a portion of the luminaire ofFIGS. 5A and 5B with the flat cover removed in accordance with certainexample embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows a flat view of two example bodies of junction boxes inaccordance with certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The example embodiments discussed herein are directed to systems,apparatuses, and methods of repositionable junction boxes. While theFigures shown and described herein are directed to repositionablejunction boxes in luminaires, example repositionable junction boxes canalso be used in other applications aside from luminaires, including butnot limited to motor control centers, relay cabinets, and enclosures.Thus, the examples of repositionable junction boxes described herein arenot limited to luminaires.

With respect to luminaires, while the example embodiments describedherein are directed to recessed luminaires, example embodiments (orportions thereof) can also be used for non-recessed luminaires. Exampleluminaires can be used with one or more of a number of different typesof lighting systems, including but not limited to light-emitting diode(LED) lighting systems, fluorescent lighting systems, organic LEDlighting systems, incandescent lighting systems, and halogen lightingsystems. Therefore, example embodiments described herein should not beconsidered limited to any particular type of lighting system.

Any example junction box, or portions (e.g., features) thereof,described herein can be made from a single piece (as from a mold). Whenan example junction box portion thereof is made from a single piece, thesingle piece can be cut out, bent, stamped, and/or otherwise shaped tocreate certain features, elements, or other portions of a component. Forexample, as discussed below, at least a portion of the junction box canbe made from a single sheet where various portions are cut out, bent,shaped, and otherwise manipulated to form an example repositionablejunction box.

Alternatively, an example junction box (or portions thereof) can be madefrom multiple pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other. Insuch a case, the multiple pieces can be mechanically coupled to eachother using one or more of a number of coupling methods, including butnot limited to epoxy, welding, fastening devices, compression fittings,mating threads, and slotted fittings. One or more pieces that aremechanically coupled to each other can be coupled to each other in oneor more of a number of ways, including but not limited to fixedly,hingedly, removeably, slidably, and threadably.

Components and/or features described herein can include elements thatare described as coupling, fastening, securing, or other similar terms.Such terms are merely meant to distinguish various elements and/orfeatures within a component or device and are not meant to limit thecapability or function of that particular element and/or feature. Forexample, a feature described as a “coupling feature” can couple, secure,fasten, and/or perform other functions aside from merely coupling. Inaddition, each component and/or feature described herein can be made ofone or more of a number of suitable materials, including but not limitedto metal, rubber, and plastic.

A coupling feature (including a complementary coupling feature) asdescribed herein can allow one or more components and/or portions of anexample repositionable junction box to become mechanically coupled,directly or indirectly, to a portion (e.g., a frame) of a luminaireand/or to another portion of the repositionable junction box. A couplingfeature can include, but is not limited to, a portion of a hinge, anaperture (as shown), a slot, a spring clip, a tab, a detent, and amating thread. An example repositionable junction box can be coupled toa frame, a housing, and/or another component of a luminaire by thedirect use of one or more coupling features.

In addition, or in the alternative, an example repositionable junctionbox can be coupled to a frame, a housing, and/or another component of aluminaire using one or more independent devices that interact with oneor more coupling features disposed on the example repositionablejunction box, frame, and/or other component of a luminaire. Examples ofsuch devices can include, but are not limited to, a pin, a hinge, afastening device (e.g., a bolt, a screw, a rivet), and a spring. Onecoupling feature described herein can be the same as, or different than,one or more other coupling features described herein. A complementarycoupling feature as described herein can be a coupling feature thatmechanically couples, directly or indirectly, with another couplingfeature.

As described herein, a user can be any person that interacts with anexample repositionable junction box or a portion thereof. Examples of auser may include, but are not limited to, an engineer, an electrician, amaintenance technician, a mechanic, an operator, a consultant, acontractor, a homeowner, and a manufacturer's representative.

The components of example repositionable junction boxes described hereincan be physically placed in outdoor environments. In addition, or in thealternative, example repositionable junction boxes can be subject toextreme heat, extreme cold, moisture, humidity, high winds, dust, andother conditions that can cause wear on the repositionable junctionboxes or components thereof. In certain example embodiments, thecomponents of repositionable junction boxes, as well as any coupling(e.g., mechanical, electrical) between such components, are made ofmaterials that are designed to maintain a long-term useful life and toperform when required without mechanical failure.

Example embodiments of repositionable junction boxes will be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich example embodiments of repositionable junction boxes are shown.Repositionable junction boxes may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the exampleembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of repositionable junction boxes to those ofordinary skill in the art. Like, but not necessarily the same, elements(also sometimes called components) in the various figures are denoted bylike reference numerals for consistency. Terms such as “first,”“second,” “top,” “base,” “open,” and “closed” are used merely todistinguish one component (or part of a component or state of acomponent) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preferenceor a particular orientation.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an example luminaire 100 in accordancewith certain example embodiments. In one or more embodiments, one ormore of the components shown in FIG. 1 may be omitted, added, repeated,and/or substituted. Accordingly, embodiments of luminaires withrepositionable junction boxes should not be considered limited to thespecific arrangements of components shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the luminaire 100 can include a housing (which caninclude, for example, a housing top 140 (sometimes called a can top140), a housing 150 (sometimes called a can 150)), flexible conduit 170,a repositionable junction box 210, a frame 410, an optional hanger bar110, and an optional hanger bar fastener 111. An optional hanger barfastener 111 can be mechanically coupled to each end of a hanger bar 110and can be mechanically coupled to a surface (e.g., a wall, a piece ofwood, a metal frame, a concrete pillar) that is used to support theluminaire 100.

The housing 150 can have any shape and/or size appropriate formechanically coupling to the frame 410. The housing 150 can be used toenclose one or more of a number of components of the luminaire 100. Suchcomponents can include, but are not limited to, a power source (e.g., adriver, a ballast), one or more light sources, a fan, a reflector, adecorative trim, and a lens. The housing 150 can have a housing top 140,disposed at the top and/or at some other location on the housing 150, toprovide access within the housing 150.

In certain example embodiments, the flexible conduit 170 is coupled toboth the junction box 210 and a portion of the housing 150. For example,in this case, the flexible conduit 170 is mechanically coupled to thehousing top 140 of the housing 150. The flexible conduit 170 can be anycomponent that is capable of containing (hosting) one or more electricalwires. In such a case, the flexible conduit 170 can protect the one ormore electrical wires disposed therein from elements (e.g., dirt,moisture) and/or physical harm (e.g., pinching).

Such electrical wires can be used to provide power and/or controlbetween the repositionable junction box 210 and the housing 150. Thus,at least part of the electrical wire is disposed in the repositionablejunction box 210, part is disposed in the flexible conduit 170, and partis disposed in the housing 150. As the name implies, the flexibleconduit 170 is bendable and movable so that, as the repositionablejunction box 210 is repositioned to different positions on the frame410, the flexible conduit 170 can allow for this repositioning whileremaining fixedly coupled to both the repositionable junction box 210and the housing 150.

The frame 410 can be mechanically coupled to hanger bars 110 on one sideof each of the frame 410 so that the hanger bars 110 extend to the leftand right of the frame 410 at both the top and bottom ends of the frame410. In addition, or in the alternative, the frame 410 can be directlycoupled to a mounting surface to support the luminaire 100. The frame410 can have any shape and/or size suitable for the housing 150. Incertain example embodiments, one or more portions (e.g., sides) of theframe 410 can include one or more complementary coupling features(described below) that receive and/or otherwise couple to one or morecoupling features 220 (also described below) of the repositionablejunction box 210.

In certain example embodiments, the repositionable junction box 210includes one or more of a number of components. For example, therepositionable junction box 210 can include a base 209, a cover 310, acover 320, a coupling portion 220, one or more wire traps 202, and afastening mechanism 250. The base 209 can include at least one wall thatforms a cavity 219. Details about each of these and other components ofthe repositionable junction box 210 are described below with respect toFIGS. 2A-2E.

FIGS. 2A-2C show various views of a portion of a luminaire 200 thatincludes an example repositionable junction box 210 in accordance withcertain example embodiments. FIGS. 2D and 2E show various views of aportion of a luminaire 201 that includes an example repositionablejunction box 210 in accordance with certain example embodiments. In oneor more example embodiments, one or more of the components shown inFIGS. 2A-2E may be omitted, repeated, and/or substituted. Accordingly,example embodiments of luminaires (or portions thereof, such asrepositionable junction boxes) should not be considered limited to thespecific arrangements of components shown in FIGS. 2A-2E.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2E, the junction box 210 can include a base 209, acover 310, a cover 320, and a fastening mechanism 250. In certainexample embodiments, the fastening mechanism 250 is mechanically coupled(e.g., fixedly, removably) to the base 209 using a fastening device 252(e.g., a rivet, a screw) and is removably coupled to the flat cover 310and the shaped cover 320 using a coupling feature 255 (e.g., a springclip) on either side of a body 254 of the fastening mechanism 250. Anumber of wire traps 202 can be disposed in various portions (e.g., wall206, wall 207, wall 204) of the base 209. The components of the junctionbox 210 not described in more detail here are described in detail belowwith respect to FIGS. 4-8.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the base 209 can include at least one wall(e.g., wall 204, wall 206, wall 207) that forms a cavity 219. One ormore walls can make up a side of the base 209. For example, wall 206 andwall 207 can make up the top side of the base 209. In certain exampleembodiments, the base 209 includes, or is coupled to, one or morefeatures that allow the base 209 to mechanically couple one or moreportions of the frame 410 and/or some other component (e.g., the housing150) of the luminaire. The repositionable junction box 210 can alsoinclude a coupling portion 220 that extends from the base and includes abottom 226, a distal extension 224, and one or more coupling features225 at the distal end of the distal extension 224.

In this case, the bottom 226 of the coupling portion 220 is part of thebottom side of the base 209 and extends laterally beyond where the cover310 abuts the bottom 226 of the coupling portion 220. Further, thedistal extension 224 of the coupling portion 220 can extend downward(e.g., at a right angle) from the bottom 226. In addition, the couplingfeatures 225 extend further downward from the distal extension 224 ofthe coupling portion 220.

In addition, or in the alternative, the coupling portion 220 can includea coupling platform 222 that includes a coupling feature 221. Forexample, the coupling portion 220 can be a type of shelf or extensionthat extends approximately perpendicularly from the distal extension 224and/or parallel to the bottom 226 of the coupling portion 220. Thepositioning of the coupling portion 220 can be such that the couplingportion 220 mechanically couples with one portion of the frame 410 whilethe coupling features 225 couple to a different portion of the frame410. The coupling portion 220 can include one or more of a number ofcoupling features 221. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, thecoupling portion 220 can include a coupling feature 221 in the form ofan aperture through which a fastening device 240 (e.g., a bolt, a nut, aclip) can be disposed.

The fastening mechanism 250 of the repositionable junction box 210 canhave a body 254 and a coupling feature 255 (e.g., a spring clip) oneither side of the body 254. The body 254 can have one or more of anumber of coupling features 251 (e.g., apertures, tabs) disposed alongits length. Such coupling features 251 can be used to mechanicallycouple the body 254 (and, thus, the coupling mechanism 250) to the base209. In such a case, the base 209 can include one or more of a number ofcomplementary coupling features 388 (e.g., apertures, slots, as shown inFIG. 4 below) to receive the coupling features 251 of the fasteningmechanism 250. In certain example embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, acoupling device 252 (e.g., a rivet, a screw) can be used to mechanicallycouple the fastening mechanism 250 to the base 209 using the couplingfeatures 251 and the coupling features 388. The coupling features 255 ofthe fastening mechanism 250 can be used, at least in part, tomechanically couple the cover 310 and/or the cover 320 to the base 209.

In certain example embodiments, the repositionable junction box 210 alsoincludes the cover 310 and the cover 320. The cover 320 can have anyshape that allows the cover 320, when engaged with the fasteningmechanism 250 and coupled to the base 209, to cover up one open side(formed by the walls) of the repositionable junction box 210 and, insome example embodiments, at least a portion of the bottom of therepositionable junction box 210 so that little or no gap exists betweenthe cover 320 and the bottom of the base 209.

The cover 320 can have one or more of a number of features and/orcomponents. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 below, the cover 320 caninclude a side wall 322, a bottom wall 324, and one or more couplingfeatures 328. In such a case, the side wall 322 can be used to cover anelongated side of the junction box 210 left open by the walls of thebase 209, while the bottom wall 324 can be used to cover the portion ofthe bottom of the repositionable junction box 210 that is left open bythe wall 226 of the base 209.

In certain example embodiments, the coupling features 328 can be used toallow the cover 320 to move while still being mechanically coupled tothe base 209 of the repositionable junction box 210. For example, asshown in FIG. 4 below, the coupling features 328 can be tabs that have ahooked end. In such a case, the coupling features 328 can fit throughcoupling features 217 in the wall 226 of the base 209 when the couplingfeatures 328 are inserted into the complementary coupling features 217at a certain angle. For example, the coupling features 328 may only fitinto the coupling features 217 when the side wall 322 of the cover 320is substantially parallel with the bottom wall 226 of the base 209.

Once the coupling features 328 are inserted into the coupling features217, as the cover 320 moves (e.g., rotates) toward a closed position(e.g., as the side wall 322 moves toward the elongated open side of thebase 209), the coupling features 328 remain movably (e.g., rotatably)coupled to the coupling features 217. When the cover 320 is moved intothe closed position relative to the base 209, the coupling features 255of the fastening mechanism 250 can be used to mechanically couple theside wall 322 of the cover 320 to the base 209.

The cover 310 can be substantially flat and have one or more couplingfeatures 312 disposed thereon. An example of a coupling feature 312 ofthe cover 310 can be a recessed portion that allows a user to secure aside wall 311 of the cover 310 using, for example, the fasteningmechanism 250. The coupling feature 312 and/or other coupling featuresof the cover 310 can allow the user to move, remove, and/or place thecover 310 when the fastening mechanism 250 is not engaged with the cover310. The cover 310 can be positioned against an elongated open end ofthe base 209 that is opposite of where the side wall 322 of the cover320 is located when the cover 320 is in the closed position relative tothe base 209.

When the cover 310 and the cover 320 are both in a closed positionrelative to the base 209, the cavity 219 is not accessible to a user. Inother words, when the cover 310 and the cover 320 are both in a closedposition relative to the base 209, the repositionable junction box 210is completely enclosed. When the cover 310 and/or the cover 320 are notin a closed position (in an open position) relative to the base 209, thecavity 219 is (or can be, with the movement of the cover 310 and/or thecover 320) accessible.

If there are no coupling features along the bottom side of the cover310, the cover 310 can abut against the top surface of the bottom wall226 of the base 209 when the cover 310 covers the elongated open side ofthe base 209 (i.e., when the cover 310 is in the closed positionrelative to the base 209). In certain example embodiments, the cover 310is positioned proximate to the coupling features 217 between thecoupling features 217 and the side walls 204 of the base 209. In such acase, when the cover 310 is in the closed position relative to the base209, and when the coupling features 328 of the cover 320 remain movablycoupled to the coupling features 217 of the base 209, then the cover 310can be used to prevent the coupling features 328 from becoming decoupledfrom the coupling features 217 when the cover 320 is moved from theclosed position to an open position. Such a configuration can be calleda hinged and captive configuration.

Thus, in certain example embodiments, one elongated side of therepositionable junction box 210 (i.e., the side furthest away from thecan 150 when the repositionable junction box 210 is coupled to the frame410) can be accessed by releasing the coupling feature 255 of thefastening mechanism 250 to allow the cover 320 to rotate away from thebase 209 and expose the cavity 219 of the repositionable junction box210. At the same time, when the cover 310 abuts against the otherelongated side of the repositionable junction box 210 (i.e., the sideclosest to the can 150 when the repositionable junction box 210 iscoupled to the frame 410), the bottom of the cover 310 maintains themovable coupling between the coupling features 328 of the cover 320 andthe coupling features 217 of the base 209. In some cases, the couplingfeatures 328 of the cover 320, when moveably coupled with the couplingfeatures 217 of the coupling portion 220, can help to secure the cover310 (or, at least, the bottom side of the cover 310) against the base209.

The principal difference between the example embodiment shown in FIGS.2A-2C and the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E is the mannerin which the fastening device 240 is used to couple the repositionablejunction box 210 to the frame 410. Specifically, in FIGS. 2A-2C, thefastening device 240 is inserted downward through the coupling feature221 of the repositionable junction box 210 and the coupling feature 290(or, more specifically, the aperture 292 in the coupling feature 290) ofthe frame 410. By contrast, in FIGS. 2D and 2E, the fastening device 240is inserted upward through the coupling feature 221 of therepositionable junction box 210 and the coupling feature 290 of theframe 410.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-2E, as discussed above, one or more portions(e.g., sides) of the frame 410 can include one or more complementarycoupling features that receive and/or otherwise couple to one or morecoupling features (described below) of the junction box 210. Forexample, each of the four sides of the frame 410 can include a couplingfeature 290 in the form of a mating shelf. In such a case, the couplingfeature 290 can be set at some angle (e.g., substantially perpendicularto the coupling feature 220 of the repositionable junction box 210) whenthe repositionable junction box 210 is mechanically coupled to the frame410. Each coupling feature 290 can include one or more of a number offastening features 291. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, thecoupling feature 290 can include a fastening feature 291 in the form ofan aperture through which a fastening device 240 (e.g., a bolt, a nut, aclip) can be disposed. In such a case, the fastening device 240 cantraverse at least part of the fastening feature 291 of the couplingfeature 290 and the fastening feature 221 of the repositionable junctionbox 210.

As another example, each of the four sides of the frame 410 can includeone or more coupling features 430 in the form of receiving tabs. Thecoupling features 430 can be bent inward to form vertical and/orhorizontal boundaries for the coupling features 225 of therepositionable junction box 210. In certain example embodiments, thecoupling features 430 form an angle of at least 90° (e.g., approximately180°, as shown in the accompanying figures). The coupling features 430receive (slidably couple to) the complementary coupling features 225 ofthe repositionable junction box 210 when the repositionable junction box210 is mechanically coupled to the frame 410. The coupling features 430can prevent the coupling features 225 (and, thus, the rest of therepositionable junction box 210) from moving further downward towardand/or rotating from a vertical position with respect to the frame 410.The coupling features 430 can include one or more features (e.g.,apertures, (as shown in FIG. 2D), detents, a stepped configuration) todirectly or indirectly couple the repositionable junction box 210 to theframe 430.

In certain example embodiments, since each (or at least more than one)of the sides of the frame 410 is similarly arranged with respect to thecoupling features 290 and the coupling features 430, the repositionablejunction box 210 can be moved by a user, changing positions and/ororientations relative to the frame 410. The repositionable junction box210 can be moved with or without the use of tools (e.g., wrench,screwdriver). FIGS. 3A-3D show various views of various positions of theexample repositionable junction box of FIG. 2 in accordance with certainexample embodiments. FIGS. 3C and 3D show the luminaire 301 where therelative position of the repositionable junction box 210 is rotatedcounter-clockwise by 90° relative to the position of the repositionablejunction box 210 for the luminaire 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Specifically, to move the repositionable junction box 210 in thisexample, the repositionable junction box 210 can be decoupled from therelative position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B by removing the fasteningdevice 240 and sliding the coupling features 225 away from the couplingfeatures 430. Once done, the repositionable junction box 210 can becoupled to an adjacent edge of the frame 410 in the manner describedabove. In addition, or in the alternative, the relative position of therepositionable junction box 210 can be rotated by some angle other than90°. For example, the relative position of the repositionable junctionbox 210 can be rotated by 180°. A flexible conduit 170 is coupled toboth the repositionable junction box 210 and the housing top 140, whichis disposed on the top end of the housing 150.

In certain example embodiments, the frame 410 can have the complementarycoupling features (e.g., coupling feature 430, coupling feature 290) formechanically coupling the repositionable junction box 210 to the frame410 positioned at any one or more portions (e.g., center) along an edgeof the frame 410. In addition, or in the alternative, adjacent edges ofthe frame 410 (or some other component of the luminaire) can havefeatures that allow the repositionable junction box 210 to be orientedat some angle that is antiparallel to every side of the frame 410.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the example repositionable junction box210 of FIG. 2 in accordance with certain example embodiments. In one ormore embodiments, one or more of the components shown in FIG. 4 may beomitted, added, repeated, and/or substituted. Accordingly, embodimentsof a junction box should not be considered limited to the specificarrangements of components shown in FIG. 4.

In addition to showing the coupling features 217 of the coupling portion220 decoupled from the coupling features 328 of the cover 320, one ormore of the walls of the base 209 can include one or more slots 417.Each slot 417 can receive a wire trap 202. The wire trap 202 can becoupled (e.g., fixedly, slidably, removebly) to a slot 417 in the base209 in any suitable manner. Each wire trap 202 can be used to pass oneor more wires therethrough, where a wire can be a single conductor or acable having multiple conductors. In certain example embodiments, aportion (e.g., cover 310, cover 320) of the repositionable junction box210 can be used to secure one or more wire traps 202 in a slot 417. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6A below, when the fastening mechanism 250 ismechanically coupled to the cover 310 and the cover 320, all of the wiretraps 202 can be secured within their respective slots 417.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show various views of a portion 500 of a luminaire thatincludes the example repositionable junction box 210 of FIG. 4 inaccordance with certain example embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 5A showsa partially exploded side view of the repositionable junction box 210,and FIG. 5B shows a partially exploded perspective view of therepositionable junction box 210. Referring to FIGS. 1-5B, in both cases,the flexible conduit 170 is mechanically coupled to a portion (e.g.,wall 206) of the base 209. In such a case, a connector 533 can be usedto couple an end of the flexible conduit 170 to the base 209 of therepositionable junction box 210.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show various views of a portion 600 of a luminaire thatincludes the example repositionable junction box 210 of FIG. 4 inaccordance with certain example embodiments. Specifically, FIG. 6A showsa side perspective view of the portion of the luminaire 600 thatincludes the example repositionable junction box 210 with the cover 320in the closed position. FIG. 6B shows a side perspective view of theportion of the luminaire 600 that includes the example repositionablejunction box 210 with the cover 320 in the open position.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6B, in both cases, the flexible conduit 170 ismechanically coupled to a portion (e.g., wall 206) of the base 209 usingthe connector 533. In addition, the repositionable junction box 210 ismechanically coupled to a portion of the frame 410, as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 2A-3B. As shown in FIG. 6B, the cover 310,positioned between the coupling features 217 and the walls of the base209 when the cover is in the closed position, prevents the couplingfeatures 328 of the cover 320 from becoming decoupled with the couplingfeatures 217.

In addition, FIG. 6B shows that the shape and size of of the cover 320relative to the shape and size of the coupling feature 220 and the shapeand size of the frame 410 can allow the cover 320 to rotate so that theside wall 322 becomes substantially parallel with the bottom 226 of thebase 209 of the repositionable junction box 210, giving total access tothe cavity 219 of the repositionable junction box 210. In such a case,if the cover 310 is in the open position (which means that the cover 310is removed), then the coupling features 328 of the cover 320 can becoupled to and/or decoupled from the coupling features 217.

FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of a portion 700 of the luminaireof FIGS. 5A and 5B with the cover 310 removed in accordance with certainexample embodiments. In other words, FIG. 7 shows how the cover 320 canbe removed (decoupled) from the base 209. Specifically, because thecover 310 is removed and so is not in a position to retain the couplingfeatures 328 within the coupling features 217, the coupling features 328can decouple from the coupling features 217 when the cover 320 rotatesapproximately to the point where the side wall 322 of the cover 320 issubstantially parallel with the bottom 226 of the base 209.

FIG. 8 shows a flat view of an assembly 800 of two example bodies 209 ofrepositionable junction boxes in accordance with certain exampleembodiments. As explained above, certain example components can bemanufactured using a reduced amount of material. The assembly 800 ofFIG. 8 shows such an example component. Here, the bodies 209 are createdby cutting, pressing, stamping, bending, and otherwise manipulating acontinuous sheet of some material (e.g., metal, plastic, rubber). Thevarious portions of the base 209 are labeled in a manner consistentwith, for example, FIG. 4 above.

Certain example embodiments provide a number of benefits. Examples ofsuch benefits include, but are not limited to, use of fewer materials,simplified installation, simplified inspection, simplified maintenance,installation of a luminaire in relatively small spaces, and reducedcost. Example repositionable junction boxes described herein also allowfor increased flexibility by repositioning the junction box withouthaving to change and/or move any other components of a luminaire.

Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to exampleembodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications are well within the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exampleembodiments described herein are not limited to any specificallydiscussed application and that the embodiments described herein areillustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the exampleembodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing otherembodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves topractitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the exampleembodiments is not limited herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A junction box, comprising: a base comprising atleast one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the base has a first openend and a second open end, wherein the first open end is opposite thesecond end; a first cover removably coupled to the base, wherein thefirst cover covers the first open end of the base when the first coveris coupled to the base; and a second cover removably coupled to base,wherein the second cover covers the second open end of the base when thesecond cover is coupled to the base, wherein the second cover remainscoupled to the base when the first cover is coupled to the base.
 2. Thejunction box of claim 1, further comprising: a fastening mechanismcoupled to the base, wherein the fastening mechanism is removablycoupled to the first cover and the second cover, wherein the fasteningmechanism, when coupled to the first cover, abuts the first coveragainst the base, and wherein the fastening mechanism, when coupled tothe second cover, abuts the second cover against the base.
 3. Thejunction box of claim 1, wherein the second cover is hingedly coupled tothe base when the fastening mechanism is decoupled from the second coverand when the fastening mechanism is coupled to the first cover.
 4. Thejunction box of claim 3, wherein the cavity is accessible when thefastening mechanism is decoupled from the second cover and the secondcover is hingedly rotated away from the second open end of the base. 5.The junction box of claim 1, wherein the first cover is removable fromthe base when the fastening mechanism is decoupled from the first cover.6. The junction box of claim 5, wherein the cavity is accessible whenthe fastening mechanism is decoupled from the first cover.
 7. Thejunction box of claim 5, wherein the second cover is removable from thebase when the first cover is decoupled from the base.
 8. The junctionbox of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises at least one framecoupling feature, wherein the at least one frame coupling feature isconfigured to be removably coupled to a frame.
 9. The junction box ofclaim 8, wherein the base is stamped from a single piece of material,wherein the at least one wall of the base is stamped in a planar sheetcomprising a first end and a second end, wherein the at least one wallis folded in four locations, wherein the four locations are foldedsubstantially perpendicularly, and wherein the first end of the baseinterlocks with the second end of the base to form the cavity.
 10. Thejunction box of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall of the basecomprises at least one coupling feature that hingedly couples to atleast one coupling feature of the second cover.
 11. The junction box ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom further has a partially open bottom end,wherein the partially open bottom end is adjacent to the first open andthe second open end, and wherein the second cover further coverspartially open bottom end.
 12. A luminaire, comprising: a junction boxcomprising at least one first frame coupling feature and at least onesecond frame coupling feature; and a frame removably coupled to thejunction box, wherein the frame comprises at least one first junctionbox coupling feature and at least one second junction box couplingfeature, wherein the at least one first junction box coupling featurecouples to the at least one first frame coupling feature of the junctionbox, and wherein the at least one second junction box coupling featurecouples to the at least one second frame coupling feature of thejunction box.
 13. The luminaire of claim 12, wherein the at least onefirst junction box coupling feature comprises a receiving tab, whereinthe at least one second junction box coupling feature comprises a matingshelf, wherein the at least one first frame coupling feature comprises atab, wherein the at least one second frame coupling feature comprises acoupling platform, wherein the tab is disposed within the receiving taband the coupling platform abuts against the mating shelf when thejunction box is coupled to the frame.
 14. The luminaire of claim 13,further comprising: at least one fastening device, wherein the fasteningdevice is disposed within a first aperture that traverses the couplingplatform and within a second aperture that traverses the mating shelf.15. The luminaire of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a pluralityof at least one first junction box coupling features and a plurality ofat least one second junction box coupling features located at differentpositions along the frame.
 16. A junction box, comprising: a basecomprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the at leastone wall comprises a side, wherein the side has a first shape; a coverhingedly coupled to the base, wherein the cover has a second shape thatcomplements the first shape, wherein the cover abuts against the sideand covers an open end of the base when the cover is coupled to thebase, wherein the side tapers from the open end.
 17. The junction box ofclaim 16, wherein the second shape is substantially a trapezoid.
 18. Thejunction box of claim 16, wherein the cover comprises at least one basecoupling feature that hingedly couples to at least one cover couplingfeature disposed in the side of the base.
 19. The junction box of claim18, wherein the at least one cover coupling feature comprise a slot, andwherein the at least one base coupling feature comprises a tab having ahooked end, wherein the tab is disposed at an end of the cover.
 20. Aluminaire, comprising: a junction box comprising a coupling platform,wherein the coupling platform comprises at least one first aperture thattraverses therethrough; a frame removably coupled to the junction box,wherein the frame comprises a mating shelf, wherein the mating shelfcomprises at least one second aperture that traverses therethrough; andat least one fastening device disposed in the at least one firstaperture and the at least one second aperture, wherein the couplingplatform abuts against the mating shelf when the junction box is coupledto the frame.